Aaron Peirsol

One of the greatest backstrokers in swimming and Olympic history. Peirsol was the NCAA backstroke champion in 2003 and 2004 for the University of Texas before turning professional. He graduated from UT in 2006 and continued to train and coach alongside Eddie Reese and Kris Kubik until he retired from the sport in 2011. He still holds the world record in the 200 backstroke (1:51.92). He won a total of 36 medals in major international competition: 29 gold, six silver, and one bronze, spanning the Olympics, the World, Pan American, and the Pan Pacific Championships. Peirsol is also involved in a number of charities. He is an ambassador for the Global Water Foundation and the Surfrider Foundation. He is also a spokesman for Oceana, which is the largest international ocean conservation and advocacy organization and continues to serve as one of swimming’s most beloved ambassadors.